Last week, President Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. This comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill strategically allocates funding to encourage a robust economic recovery while creating a coordinated, national vaccination program to ensure we defeat this virus. 

As we move forward, President Biden's COVID-19 relief plan will promote an inclusive recovery by putting shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools, and people in jobs. 

Some major components of the legislation include:

• $1,400 economic stimulus payments for individuals
• $20 billion for a national vaccination and public health improvement program
• $10 billion for emergency mortgage payment assistance 
• $300 weekly boost to unemployment insurance benefits
• $15 billion in low-interest loans for small businesses and expanded PPP funding
• Child Tax Credit expansion, cutting childhood poverty in half
• State Education Department funding, allowing schools to reopen quickly and safely 

Because of the bold policy initiatives in The American Rescue Plan, the Congressional Budget Office projects a full economic recovery in just 12 months!

Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, I'm building on President Biden's economic and public health initiatives by working with my Democratic colleagues on a statewide COVID-19 relief and future pandemic preparation bill. Our bill supports working families and creates pandemic resiliency by safeguarding Florida's public health system and expanding healthcare coverage.

If passed, my legislation will provide substantial benefits including:

• Increasing worker protections, paid sick leave, and restructuring our broken unemployment system 
• Providing smart liability protections, streamlined bridge loans, and COVID-19 tax credits to small businesses
• Establishing a guaranteed eviction moratorium and month-to-month lease extension options for renters 
• Creating greater access to safety net programs during an emergency
• Expanding Medicaid and providing mental healthcare coverage to frontline workers
• Ensuring local governments have quality public health infrastructure and essential medical supplies

The past year has been challenging for everyone, especially for those who've lost loved ones to the virus. I want to thank you for your patients, resiliency, and commitment to protecting others by following public health guidelines. There's light at the end of the tunnel, and together we will defeat this virus.

If you have questions or need assistance with accessing support programs, please call my office at (813) 657-7781 or simply reply!